Partnership Programs
Cambridge Employment Program (CEP)
Program overview: The Cambridge Employment Program (CEP) provides individualized career counseling to support Cambridge residents in achieving their employment goals.
CEP can help you:
• identify your skills
• develop a resume, cover letter and interviewing skills
• learn effective job search strategies
• navigate online applications
• think about a long-term career path
• determine whether you need more training or education
Duration of program: Open-ended
Who can apply: Cambridge residents, age 18 and older
Eligibility requirements:
Application deadline: Ongoing
Contact info: Sign up in person at 51 Inman Street or call 617-349-6166 to find out more.
Cambridge Works
Program overview: Are you a Cambridge Resident, age 18-35, without a college degree, looking for a full-time job?
If so, Cambridge Works might be able to help you if you’ve had difficulty finding a job for any of the following reasons:
• Limited work experience
• Gap in your work history
• Frustration with dead end jobs
• Legal or personal issues
Cambridge Works is a transitional jobs program where participants receive:
• A 3-month paid internship
• Support from a case manager
• Weekly job readiness classes
• Job placement assistance
Duration of program: About 3 months, with cycles beginning in September and March.
Who can apply: Cambridge residents, age 18 – 35, without a college degree.
Application deadline: Ongoing
Contact info: Michael Merullo, 617-349-7743
Free CNA/HHA Training – Community Learning Center
Program overview: Free Integrated Certified Nursing Assistant training for Non-Native English speakers offering ESOL contextualized healthcare and math classes, as well as career advising.
Duration of program: 17 weeks. Classes are held Monday-Thursday evenings from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm. There are two weekends of clinical training during the last 2 weeks at a nursing facility. Students must be present from 7:00 am – 3:30 pm on those days. All classes are mandatory. Tardiness is not acceptable.
Who can apply: Cambridge residents have priority. Students living in the Metro North Area may also apply if space is available.
Eligibility requirements:
- ESOL speaker (English cannot be your primary language)
- Permanent Resident Card, US Citizenship or valid work permit
- Interview
- Writing sample
- Reading comprehension test
- Negative TB Test within the past 12 months
- Flu shot within the past 12 months
- Proof of Measles (MMR) vaccination
Application deadline: Friday, August 28, 2020
Contact info: Please e-mail Bayyinah Pandolfo at bpandolfo@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-6363
JAS Information Technology Career Training Program
Program overview: The Just-A-Start IT Career Program is a FREE educational and career skills training program that prepares individuals for Computer User Support Specialist positions in any business environment. The program is ideal for people who are looking for a new career or are entering the job market for the first time. Through this training module students are able to obtain stackable industry recognized credential and certificates (i.e. Comp TIA, CompTIA A+, NETWORK+) The program runs from January to August followed by job placement assistance.
Classes meet 5 days a week from 9 AM to 2 PM. Training includes academic classes, tutoring, job shadowing and career-planning. Academic classes are taught at: BHCC Charlestown, MA 02129 and JAS 1035 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02141.
Graduates will receive credits from Bunker Hill Community College.
Duration of program: 9 month program, 25 hours per week of instruction. September 2019 – May 2020.
Who can apply: All Massachusetts residents 18 years of age or older.
Eligibility requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; authorized to work in the U.S; passage of Reading Comprehension, Grammar & Math tests.
Application deadline: April – November 2020
Contact info: 617.918.7534 or workforcetraining@justastart.org
JAS Biomedical Careers Program
Program overview: The Just-A-Start (JAS) Biomedical Careers Program is a free educational and job skills training program that prepares individuals for entry-level jobs in biotech and biomedical institutions. The program runs from January to September 2019 followed by job placement assistance.
Classes meet 5 days a week from 9AM to 2PM. Training includes academic classes, tutoring, lab training and career-planning.
Academic classes are taught at: 1035 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA 02141
Laboratory skills are taught at: Bunker Hill Community College Charlestown, MA 02129.
Graduates may be eligible to receive credits from Bunker Hill Community College based on Prior Learning Assessment.
Duration of program: 9 month program, 25 hours per week of instruction. January – September 2020.
Who can apply: All Massachusetts residents 18 years of age or older
Eligibility requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; eligible to work in the U.S.; good reading and math skills; interest in the biomedical field; residency and funding based eligibility standards may apply.
Application deadline: April – November 2020
Contact info: 617-918-7534 or workforcetraining@justastart.org
Year Up
Program overview: Year Up is free, one-year career readiness and college pathways program opportunity for young adults between 18-24 years old who have a high school diploma or HiSET however, due to a lack of finances, support or direction, have not been able to realize their full potential, but are ready to make a better life for themselves.
Year Up student benefits include a biweekly educational stipend, free college credit recommendations, a professional six-month internship at a leading company, a staff coach and a professional mentor. Year Up serves 600 students across its three Boston area locations each year. Interested applicants can apply and sign-up for an information session at www.yearup.org/apply.
Duration of program: 11 months
Who can apply: 18-24 years old, high school diploma or HiSET recipient, legally eligible to work in U.S.
Eligibility requirements: 18-24 years old, high school diploma or HiSET recipient, legally eligible to work in U.S.
Application deadline: Classes begin every March, April, September and October each year.
Contact info: BostonAdmissions@yearup.org or 857-305-9990